Alabama Football: Feeling young, disrespected and murder ball

Despite some claims to the contrary, Alabama Football coach Nick Saban rarely strays from the truth. The Alabama Crimson Tide’s ‘almost always’ truth-teller, might not have been honest about one thing at SEC Media Days on Wednesday.

The 71-year-old Saban claimed that he feels like he is 39. It was in response to a question about Crimson Tide OC, Tommy Rees. Saban was effusive in praise of his 31-year-old OC.

Saban made it clear the decades’ difference in the age of the two men is not a problem.

"First of all, I still feel like I’m 39. Tommy’s great. He’s mature.Tommy Rees is one of the brightest young guys I’ve seen for a long time in this business,” he said from the podium. “He’s been a great addition and brought a lot of positives to the offensive side of the ball in terms of his ideas… His energy and enthusiasm on the field has been contagious and I think I see a great trust in our players with Tommy and what he tries to do from a leadership standpoint on offense."

The ’39’ claim is a considerable exaggeration unless Nick has found a previously undiscovered fountain of youth. But so far, old does not seem to apply to Saban.

Not in question, coming out of Alabama’s media day, is the confidence and determination of Crimson Tide player leaders.

J.C. Latham talked about being disrespected. Dallas Turner talked about ‘murder ball’. Neither young man gave the impression of reading lines prepared by others.

Alabama Football and Murder Ball

Latham was talking about Alabama not being the favorite of many to win the SEC in 2023. Dallas Turner, along with expressing confidence he is the best defensive player in the SEC, clearly relishes the Crimson Tide returning to a physical style known as ‘murder ball’ attributed to previous Alabama football teams.

Latham added to his comments that the disrespect motivates him.

"I love being an underdog. That fuels me.I know we’re going to go out there, compete, dominate, do what we have to do to win. I know we’re going to win it all and go undefeated. Whatever anybody outside our family says essentially isn’t what matters to us."

SEC Media Days is a platform for big talk and bold claims. Claims made in July can quickly fade in September. But the Alabama Crimson Tide is led by a man who does not take words lightly. One of his admonitions is, say what you mean and mean what you say. On Wednesday, it appeared such a drilled-down determination has spread to some of Nick Saban’s key players.

The 2023 Alabama football season cannot get her soon enough.